Shaun Livingston called Kevin Durant to thank him personally for making his Warriors return possible

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The Golden State Warriors’ Kevin Durant (35) high-fives Shaun Livingston (34) against the Utah Jazz in the second quarter of Game 2 of their NBA second-round playoff series at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 4, 2017. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

OAKLAND — As much as he wanted to return, Shaun Livingston acknowledged Friday that he thought the fun was probably over for him when the Warriors won the NBA championship in June. The constraints of free agency and salary caps simply made his return look too unlikely.

But Kevin Durant changed everything when he made the financial sacrifice to allow Livingston, Andre Iguodala and other key role players to sign new deals with Golden State. Livingston was so moved by the gesture he said he reached out personally to Durant during the offseason to thank him.

“We didn’t really talk about it at all throughout any point during (last) season or even when it happened,” Livingston said. “But after we signed our deals following the free agency period, I gave him a call and just let him know. Because that wasn’t something that he had to do, and I just wanted him to hear it from me, that I was just grateful to be back understanding the ramifications of free agency.

“Without him making that sacrifice, this probably doesn’t happen.”

Livingston said beyond the talent level it provides, Durant’s gesture also sustains the chemistry the Warriors have carefully cultivated.

“We understand each other’s games, we’re more comfortable with each other on and off the court,” he said. “It just helps, especially when you get into postseason. You rely on that experience, that cohesiveness, that chemistry in pressure situations. It’s really invaluable. I think that’s only going to benefit us years to come.”

If the Warriors can win their third championship in four seasons, Durant has to get a lot of the credit for holding it all together, Livingston said.

“Again, it just shows the type of person he is as a player — just an unselfish, humble superstar,” he said. “He just wants to win, and wants to have the best chance of doing it. I think with the core group we’ve had the last couple of years, and the success we’ve been able to put forth, this is the best chance that we’ve had.”

Carl Steward has been a sportswriter for Bay Area News Group newspapers for more than 40 years, covering all manner of sports as a beat writer, columnist and jack-of-all-trades reporter. He has covered numerous Super Bowls, World Series, major golf tournaments and even did turns covering horse racing's Triple Crown and soccer's World Cup. He has also written the popular light-hearted "Darting Here and There" column for many years.